Vanta vs Delve: Which Compliance Platform Wins in 2025
If you're here, you've probably narrowed your options to Vanta and Delve — two of the most talked-about names in the compliance automation space. Both promise faster audits. Both tout automation. But beneath the marketing, their approaches couldn't be more different.
Lam Anh
October 30, 2025 • 5 min read
TLDR Summary
Vanta offers the broadest framework coverage and 375+ integrations, ideal for process-mature teams with complex tech stacks.
Delve delivers lightning-fast AI onboarding, 24/7 expert guidance, and deep automation for custom setups but fewer native integrations.
Vanta and Delve: A Quick Overview
| Feature | Vanta | Delve |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 | 2022 |
| Primary focus | Continuous monitoring and compliance scaling | AI-driven automation and rapid onboarding |
| Best for | Process-mature or enterprise-scale organizations | Startups and lean tech teams |
| Pricing | $7K–$14K per framework annually (average) | $10K–$20K all-inclusive |
| Support model | Business-hours support | 24/7 expert access via Slack and Zoom |
| Automation scope | 1,200+ automated tests | AI-based auto-evidence and configuration scans |
1. Onboarding and Support
Vanta
Vanta's onboarding follows a structured, checklist-style process designed for scalability.
Implementation takes several weeks
Typically requires 40+ hours of internal work
Support is competent but limited to business hours
Can slow progress during audits or integration issues
Delve
Delve's onboarding is AI-driven, intuitive, and fast.
Setup takes minutes, not weeks
Full onboarding completed in 10–15 hours
24/7 access to compliance experts through Slack and Zoom
Response times under five minutes
Verdict: Delve is built for speed and personal guidance. Vanta suits teams with in-house compliance knowledge who prefer structure over immediacy.
2. Evidence Handling
Vanta
Vanta automates evidence gathering by syncing with 375+ systems, maintaining audit histories, and mapping tests across frameworks.
However, integrations for non-mainstream tools sometimes fail to recognize workflows, leading to manual uploads or workarounds.
Delve
Delve's AI agents automatically capture evidence from apps and CI/CD pipelines without manual screenshots or checklists.
Detect configuration changes automatically
Take real-time snapshots
Version all evidence automatically
Works even in custom tech stacks
Verdict: Vanta excels at breadth for standard setups. Delve wins on depth for custom or fast-changing infrastructures.
3. Risk and Policy Management
Vanta
Risk register aligned with ISO standards
50+ default risk scenarios with scoring
Automated mitigations
Connects risk items to policies and vendors
Lacks real-time adaptability for evolving risks
Delve
Identifies risks through live infrastructure scans
Automatically generates remediation recommendations
AI Policy Assistant drafts and updates policies dynamically
Explains requirements and links them to relevant controls
Real-time adaptability for evolving risks
4. Device and MDM Management
Vanta
Vanta integrates directly with MDMs like Kandji, Addigy, and Intune, offering strong device coverage.
For unsupported setups, a manual agent must be installed — adding setup overhead for smaller teams.
Delve
Delve relies on integrations with tools like Swif.ai for posture and encryption tracking. It syncs posture signals automatically.
Deeper device control still depends on third-party tools.
Verdict: Vanta's native MDM support suits enterprise environments. Delve offers flexibility for startups with simpler device policies.
5. Incident and Vulnerability Management
Vanta
Tracks vulnerabilities by integrating with scanners like Snyk, Dependabot, and AWS Inspector
Logs incidents and assigns severity levels
Tracks remediation timelines in the asset inventory
Delve
Continuously scans infrastructure using AI and live threat intelligence
Prioritizes vulnerabilities by 40+ risk factors
Provides shareable trust reports that visualize security posture in real time
Available for internal and external stakeholders
6. Vendor and Access Management
Vanta
Vendor Risk Management automatically detects vendors
Assigns risk scores and schedules questionnaires
Access management aligns with RBAC policies
Customization is limited to predefined rules
Delve
AI autofills vendor questionnaires based on existing compliance context
Monitors vendor access continuously
AI agents detect access changes
Correlates access changes to infrastructure risks in real time
Verdict: Vanta streamlines structured vendor governance. Delve shortens review cycles with automation and intelligent autofill.
7. Integrations and Extensibility
| Feature | Vanta | Delve |
|---|---|---|
| Total integrations | 375+ | 12–15 native |
| Integration type | Pre-built connectors | AI agent-based for any system |
| Customization | Moderate | Fully extensible through API hooks |
| Best for | Standard SaaS stacks | Custom or internal systems |
Verdict: Vanta wins on integration volume. Delve wins on adaptability for teams using non-standard or in-house tools.
8. Pricing and Total Cost
Vanta
$8,000+
Pricing starts around $8,000 per framework and scales with add-ons for vendor risk, questionnaires, and audit support.
As more frameworks are added, total cost of ownership increases quickly.
Delve
$10K–$20K
Delve offers bundled pricing between $10,000–$20,000 per year, covering AI automation, onboarding, and 24/7 expert access without hidden fees.
Some external integrations, like MDM or SIEM, may add marginal third-party costs.
Verdict: Delve provides transparent, predictable pricing. Vanta offers modularity but less cost clarity for multi-framework setups.
The Compliance Snapshot: Vanta vs Delve
| Criteria | Vanta | Delve |
|---|---|---|
| Framework coverage | 35+ global frameworks | 7+ core frameworks with custom support |
| Automation level | 1,200+ automated tests | AI-driven automation for custom stacks |
| Ease of use | Moderate learning curve | Instant setup, minimal training |
| Audit readiness | Pre-vetted auditors, limited live support | Real-time AI evidence and trust reports |
| Support | Business-hours only | 24/7 expert access |
| Integrations | 375+ native | AI agent-based for any system |
| Pricing model | Modular and tiered | All-inclusive and predictable |
Which Platform Fits Your Business?
Pick Vanta if you:
Run a mature compliance program with in-house GRC or InfoSec staff
Manage multiple frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and FedRAMP
Depend heavily on established integrations and strict audit logs
Value scalability and are comfortable with tiered pricing and structured onboarding
Vanta is best for established organizations with large teams, standardized stacks, and complex audit cycles.
Pick Delve if you:
Are a fast-moving startup or lean engineering team
Need SOC 2 or ISO compliance in weeks, not months
Want 24/7 live expert support and AI-powered automation that handles most manual work
Prefer predictable pricing without consulting upsells or hidden fees
Delve is ideal for hands-on, growth-stage teams that treat compliance as a launch accelerator rather than a slow-moving checklist.
Final Thoughts
Both Vanta and Delve deliver on the promise of automation — but they serve different needs. Vanta is the enterprise workhorse: broad, structured, and integration-rich. Delve is the agile newcomer: fast, intelligent, and relentlessly human-assisted.
If your company values speed, simplicity, and always-on expert help, Delve offers the better experience. If you manage complex frameworks and enterprise-level processes, Vanta provides the governance and depth to match.
The Best Choice for Startups Aiming to Scale Through ISO 27001
If your goal is to get certified fast and use that certification to win enterprise clients, Smartly is the smarter starting point.
Unlike broader GRC platforms that serve larger, process-heavy organizations, Smartly is built specifically for startups and growing tech teams that want to move quickly and stay focused on product and growth.
Here's why:
Speed to certification
Smartly automates 70% of the manual prep work and helps teams achieve ISO 27001 readiness in weeks, not months. You stay focused on your roadmap while Smartly handles the compliance lift.
All-inclusive pricing
You pay to get certified, not for extra services along the way. Every plan covers implementation, templates, audit coordination, and certification, no hidden costs.
Budget-friendly for early-stage teams
Designed for startups with lean budgets, Smartly delivers enterprise-grade compliance at a fraction of the usual price, no consultants, no overhead.
Clear path to growth
Certification isn't just a checkbox. With Smartly, it becomes a growth enabler that helps you close enterprise deals, expand globally, and build customer trust early.
If your focus is to prove trust fast and unlock new business, Smartly gives you the fastest and most affordable path to ISO 27001 success.
Looking for a Faster ISO 27001 Solution?
While both Vanta and Delve offer powerful automation, Smartly provides a focused, faster, and more affordable path specifically for ISO 27001 certification—especially for teams in the APAC region.